title: Solar protection behaviors among outdoor workers.
abstract: Due to the lack of information regarding how US workers protect themselves from ultraviolet radiation, this study explored solar protection behaviors among three groups of outdoor workers. This cross-sectional research involved two separate studies. Study 1 consisted of observations of 312 outdoor workers, and Study 2 was a paper and pencil survey (n = 240). For each data set, occupational groups were compared on ultraviolet radiation protection. Observational data indicated that 50.4% of the workers had adequate protection. Across occupational groups, the ranking from highest to lowest levels of protection was consistent for both data sets. Face and lower arms were consistently the least protected sites. The pattern of findings suggests the importance of assessing protection of individual body sites, as well as composite protection.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, CA 92182-4162, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Stepanski
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002140:California; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents